Antarctica

A small dot amidst the South Atlantic Ocean, the Falkland Islands are at once very well known and quietly anonymous.

The growth of Antarctic tourism has put the islands firmly on the map. Wild vistas and sweeping coastlines, together with a colourful maritime past and strong farming legacy characterise a surprisingly striking archipelago, where wildlife abounds.

The Falklands comprise two main islands, East and West Falkland, as well as an additional 748 smaller, mostly unpopulated islands covering an area slightly less than Northern Ireland. The majority of the 2,500 population live in the capital Stanley on East Falkland, while a small but determined populace live on isolated sheep farms in ‘camp’ – the name given to the countryside and derived from the Spanish word campo. Stanley is the only real town in the archipelago and offers modern amenities amidst signs of a lively past. Backed by hills, the waterfront is littered with photogenic shipwrecks and distinctive, colourful buildings give the town character.

The foremost appeal to visitors of the Falkland Islands is the abundant wildlife, where the sheer numbers of penguins, seals and pelagic birds is quite staggering. Colonies of rock hopper, macaroni, magellanic and gentoo penguins can all be encountered along with impressive king penguins, elephant seals, sea lions and around 10,000 breeding pairs of black-browed albatross.

Adventure Cruises to the Falkland Islands
Peninsula, Falklands and South Georgia »

For details of our land-based multi-centre holidays in the Falkland Islands click here »